Best's Insurance Professional Resources
Client-Recommended Attorneys, Adjusters and Experts
Best's Insurance Professional Resources
Client-Recommended Attorneys, Adjusters and Experts


Whiteford, Taylor & Preston L.L.P.

Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense

Seven Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1626

Established: 1933

Practice Areas

  • Product Liability
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Environmental Law
  • Toxic Torts
  • Wrongful Termination
  • Intellectual Property
  • Professional Liability
  • General Liability
  • Casualty
  • COVID-19/Coronavirus
  • Directors and Officers Liability
  • Fire
  • Surety
  • Malpractice

About Us

We have a long history representing commercial insureds in claims arising out of general negligence, professional liability, premises liability, product liability, employment practices, environmental impairment, errors and omissions, fiduciary liability, toxic tort, workers compensation, and others.

The firm also regularly provides insurance carriers and policyholders with advice and representation involving complex coverage issues involving a wide array of insurance products such as CGL, professional liability, D&O, employer practices, environmental impairment, E&O, excess, reinsurance and various specialty issues. We represent clients in state and federal courts as well as in arbitration proceedings and in hearings before administrative agencies.

Probably the largest component of most casualty insurers' claims exposure involves personal injury litigation arising out of injuries occurring on commercial or residential property or in motor vehicle accidents, and claims against commercial establishments for intentional torts such as false arrest, defamation and false imprisonment. Whiteford has handled these types of claims for carriers and their insureds for over 60 years in all levels of state court, federal court, and arbitration.

Among our self-insured clients in this area is one of the region's most prominent developers and managers of commercial and retail business space, as well as several national retailers for whom we handle premises liability and shopkeeper liability claims.

We have a long history representing commercial insureds in claims arising out of general negligence, professional liability, premises liability, product liability, employment practices, environmental impairment, errors and omissions, fiduciary liability, toxic tort, workers compensation, and others.

The firm also regularly provides insurance carriers and policyholders with advice and representation involving complex coverage issues involving a wide array of insurance products such as CGL, professional liability, D&O, employer practices, environmental impairment, E&O, excess, reinsurance and various specialty issues. We represent clients in state and federal courts as well as in arbitration proceedings and in hearings before administrative agencies.

Probably the largest component of most casualty insurers' claims exposure involves personal injury litigation arising out of injuries occurring on commercial or residential property or in motor vehicle accidents, and claims against commercial establishments for intentional torts such as false arrest, defamation and false imprisonment. Whiteford has handled these types of claims for carriers and their insureds for over 60 years in all levels of state court, federal court, and arbitration.

Among our self-insured clients in this area is one of the region's most prominent developers and managers of commercial and retail business space, as well as several national retailers for whom we handle premises liability and shopkeeper liability claims.

The firm has been active in the defense of property claims and suspicious casualty claims with particular experience with arson and other fraudulent claims. In such matters we work closely with our clients' special investigative units and with law enforcement authorities.

In addition to handling individual claims, Whiteford has also served as regional and national coordinating counsel in various specialty areas. The firm's practice encompasses every facet of insurance-related issues, including coverage and regulatory matters concerning all personal and commercial lines. We also represent insurers with regard to ratings and other regulatory matters before administrative agencies, are actively involved in advising clients and litigating issues concerning insurer insolvencies, and represent state guaranty funds throughout the country.

Additional Locations

  • Towson, Maryland
  • 1 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 300
  • Towson, Maryland 21204-5025
    • Telephone: 410-832-2000
    • Fax: 410-832-2015
  • Columbia, Maryland
  • 8830 Stanford Boulevard, Suite 400
  • Columbia, Maryland 21045
    • Telephone: 410-884-0700
    • Fax: 410-884-0719
  • Falls Church, Virginia
  • 3190 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 800
  • Falls Church, Virginia 22042-4510
    • Telephone: 703-280-9260
    • Fax: 703-280-9139
  • Wilmington, Delaware
  • The Renaissance Centre, Suite 500
  • 405 North King Street
  • Wilmington, Delaware 19801-3700
    • Telephone: 302-353-4144
    • Fax: 302-661-7950
  • Rockville, Maryland
  • 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 800
  • Rockville, Maryland 20850
    • Telephone: 301-804-3610
    • Fax: 301-215-6359
  • Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
  • 18949 Coastal Highway, Suite 304
  • Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971
    • Telephone: 302-829-3043
  • Roanoke, Virginia
  • 10 South Jefferson Street, Suite 1110
  • Roanoke, Virginia 24011
    • Telephone: 540-759-3560
    • Fax: 540-343-1011
  • Lexington, Kentucky
  • 161 North Eagle Creek Drive, Suite 210
  • Lexington, Kentucky 40509
    • Telephone: 859-687-6700
    • Fax: 859-263-3239
  • Bethany Beach, Delaware
  • 26 North Pennsylvania Avenue
  • P.O. Box 282 (19930)
  • Bethany Beach, Delaware 19930
    • Telephone: 302-829-3043
    • Fax: 302-357-3273
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • 11 Stanwix Street, Suite 1400
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
    • Telephone: 412-618-5600
    • Fax: 412-515-1515
  • New York, New York
  • 444 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
  • New York, New York 10022
    • Telephone: 914-761-8400
  • White Plains, New York
  • 1025 Westchester Avenue, Suite 106
  • White Plains, New York 10604
    • Telephone: 914-580-9176
  • Ocean City, Maryland
  • 7408 Coastal Highway
  • Ocean City, Maryland 21842
    • Telephone: 443-856-6410
    • Fax: 443-856-6409
  • Richmond, Virginia
  • Two James Center
  • 1021 East Cary Street, Suite 1700
  • Richmond, Virginia 23219
    • Telephone: 804-977-3300
    • Fax: 804-977-3299
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • 249 Central Park Avenue, Suite 300-91
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
    • Telephone: 757-271-9750

Client Information

Insurance Clients

Non-Insurance Clients

  • Continental Guaranty and Credit Corporation
  • Leizure Associates, Inc.

*Principal outside law firm as designated by insurance companies

Personnel Information

Partners


Jeffrey P. Altman

Washington, DC
Admitted
  • District of Columbia, 1975
Memberships:
  • American Bar Association
  • The District of Columbia Bar
  • American Health Lawyers Association
Education:
  • Yale University, B.A., 1972
  • Tulane University Law School, J.D., 1974

Steven E. Bers

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1978
Memberships:
  • Federal and Maryland State (Labor Law Section) Bar Associations
  • The Bar Association of Baltimore City
Education:
  • Johns Hopkins University, B.A., 1975
  • University of Maryland, J.D., 1978

Robert F. Carney

Columbia, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 1990
  • District of Columbia, 1993
Memberships:
  • American Bar Association
  • The District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • Haverford College, B.A., 1983
  • University of Maryland, J.D., 1990

Masten Childers, III

Lexington, KY
Admitted
  • Kentucky, 2012
  • District of Columbia, 2019
Education:
  • University of Kentucky, B.A., 2002
  • Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, J.D., 2011

Adam Cizek

Columbia, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 2000
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
Education:
  • Salisbury State University, B.A., 1996
  • University of Baltimore, J.D., 2000

David Daneman

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1989
  • District of Columbia, 2000
Memberships:
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • Bankruptcy Bar Association
Education:
  • Franklin & Marshall College, B.S., 1986
  • University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., 1989

Dorothy Deng

Falls Church, VA
Admitted
  • District of Columbia, 2007
Memberships:
  • American Bar Association
Education:
  • National Taiwan University, LL.B., 2003
  • The Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 2006
Language:
  • Mandarin Chinese

Howard R. Feldman

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1988
  • District of Columbia, 1989
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1993
Memberships:
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • The Bar Association of Baltimore City
  • The District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • University of Maryland, B.S., 1984
  • University of Maryland, J.D., 1988

Michael C. Gartner

Falls Church, VA
Admitted
  • Virginia, 1997
  • District of Columbia, 1999
Memberships:
  • Virginia and Fairfax County Bar Associations
Education:
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, B.A., 1993
  • William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1997

Daniel A. Griffith

Wilmington, DE
Admitted
  • New Jersey, 1990
  • Delaware, 2002
Memberships:
  • American, Delaware State and New Jersey State Bar Associations
Education:
  • Rutgers University, B.A., 1987
  • Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 1990

Peter D. Guattery

Towson, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 1987
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
Education:
  • Johns Hopkins University, B.A., 1984
  • University of Pennsylvania, J.D., 1987

John J. Hathway

Washington, DC
Admitted
  • Maryland, 1985
  • District of Columbia, 1988
Memberships:
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • The Catholic University of America, B.A., 1977
  • University of Baltimore, J.D., 1985

Kenneth J. Ingram

Washington, DC
Admitted
  • Missouri, 1970
  • District of Columbia, 1972
  • Virginia, 1982
  • U.S. Claims Court, 1973
Memberships:
  • American and Virginia Bar Associations
  • The District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • Amherst College, B.A., 1967
  • Washington University, J.D., 1970

James R. Jeffcoat

Baltimore, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 2012
  • District of Columbia, 2014
Memberships:
  • The District of Columbia Bar
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • The Bar Association of Baltimore City
  • Propeller Club of Baltimore
  • International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
  • The Maritime Law Association of the United States
Education:
  • Maine Maritime Academy, B.S. (cum laude), 2005
  • University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D. (summa cum laude), 2012

Harry S. Johnson

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1979
  • District of Columbia, 1993
Memberships:
  • National, American, Maryland State and Monumental City Bar Associations
  • The Bar Association of Baltimore City (Elected, 1981)
  • The District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • University of Maryland, B.A., 1976
  • University of Maryland, J.D., 1979

Kevin A. Kernan

Falls Church, VA
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1995
  • Maryland, 1996
  • District of Columbia, 1997
  • Virginia, 1998
Memberships:
  • Alexandria Bar Association
  • The District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • State University of New York, B.S., 1989
  • Widener University, J.D.

Emily Lashley

Towson, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 2005
Memberships:
  • Maryland State Bar Association
Education:
  • Towson University, B.S. (cum laude), 2001
  • University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., 2005

Patrick McKevitt

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 2011
  • District of Columbia, 2012
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
Education:
  • University of Maryland, B.A., 2005
  • University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 2011

Albert J. Mezzanotte, Jr.

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1981
  • District of Columbia, 1986
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
  • The District of Columbia Bar
  • Maryland Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Education:
  • Western Maryland College, B.A., 1978
  • University of Baltimore, J.D., 1981

Tiffany M. Releford

Washington, DC
Admitted
  • Maryland, 2005
  • Virginia, 2006
Memberships:
  • Maryland State, Virginia and Howard County Bar Associations
Education:
  • University of Maryland, B.S., 1999
  • Howard University, J.D., 2005

Jane Rogers

Washington, DC
Admitted
  • Virginia, 1997
  • Maryland, 1998
  • District of Columbia, 1998
Memberships:
  • American, Maryland State and Virginia Bar Associations
  • The District of Columbia Bar
  • American League of Lobbyist
Education:
  • American University, B.A., 1971
  • George Mason University, J.D., 1997

William F. Ryan, Jr.

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1979
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
  • The Bar Association of Baltimore City
Education:
  • Princeton University, A.B., 1976
  • University of Baltimore, J.D., 1979

Stephen M. Schaefer

Columbia, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 1999
  • District of Columbia, 2000
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
  • The District of Columbia Bar
  • American Society of Association Executives
Education:
  • Villanova University, B.A., 1996
  • Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 1999

Charles L. Simmons, Jr.

Baltimore, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 1996
  • District of Columbia, 1997
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
  • Mid-Atlantic Mariners Club
  • The Maritime Law Association of the United States (Proctor Member)
Education:
  • Towson University, B.A., 1992
  • University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 1996

Ilana Subar

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1997
Memberships:
  • Maryland State Bar Association
Education:
  • McGill University, B.A., 1994
  • University of Maryland, J.D., 1997

Andrew J. Terrell

Falls Church, VA
Admitted
  • Virginia, 1989
  • District of Columbia, 1991
Memberships:
  • American, Virginia and Alexandria Bar Associations
  • The District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • Saint Michael's College, B.A., 1984
  • George Mason University, J.D., 1989

Steven E. Tiller

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1992
Memberships:
  • Maryland State and Baltimore County Bar Associations
  • The District of Columbia Bar
Education:
  • James Madison University, B.S., 1988
  • University of Kentucky, J.D., 1992

Chad J. Toms

Wilmington, DE
Admitted
  • New Jersey, 2001
  • Delaware, 2001
  • Maryland, 2017
Memberships:
  • American and Delaware State Bar Associations
Education:
  • University of Delaware, B.A., 1995
  • Widener University School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2001

Warren N. Weaver

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1982
Memberships:
  • American, National and Maryland State Bar Associations
  • Maryland Association of Defense Trial Counsel
Education:
  • Georgetown University, B.A., 1979
  • Georgetown University, J.D., 1982

Thomas J. Whiteford

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1992
Memberships:
  • Federal, Maryland State and Baltimore County Bar Associations
Education:
  • Bucknell University, B.A., 1989
  • University of Baltimore, J.D., 1992

Counsel


Thomas Mugavero

Falls Church, VA
Admitted
  • Maryland, 1989
  • Virginia, 1989
  • District of Columbia, 1992
Memberships:
  • Maryland State and Virginia Bar Associations
Education:
  • Yale University, B.A., 1985
  • Georgetown University, J.D., 1989

Jeffrey C. Seaman

Rockville, MD
Admitted
  • District of Columbia, 1992
Memberships:
  • Bar Association of the District of Columbia
  • Montgomery County Bar Association
Education:
  • University of Kentucky, B.A., 1988
  • University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 1992

Senior Counsel


Thomas C. Beach, III

Columbia, MD
Admitted
  • Maryland, 1968
Memberships:
  • American, Maryland State and Baltimore County Bar Associations
  • The Bar Association of Baltimore City
Education:
  • Georgetown University, 1965
  • University of Maryland, B.S., 1965
  • University of Maryland, LL.B., 1968

Gardner M. Duvall

Baltimore, MD

Admitted
  • Maryland, 1986
Memberships:
  • American and Maryland State Bar Associations
  • The Bar Association of Baltimore City
Education:
  • Tulane University, B.A., 1983
  • University of Maryland, J.D., 1986

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